From the deli to Daegu: Inside a player’s decision to leave MLB for the KBO

Special to The AthleticFeb 13, 2018
14

Former Reds pitcher Tim Adleman is spending the 2018 season with the Samsung Lions of Korea's KBO League. Throughout the year, Adleman will write about his experiences in his new league and country for The Athletic.

I'd been told no many times before.

Undrafted as a junior at Georgetown, the Orioles took me in the 24th round in 2010 after my senior year. I was immediately an All-Star in my first pro season in the minors — and then cut after my second after being sent to the bullpen.

I always thought I was pretty good at throwing a baseball. Everywhere I turned, I was told differently, but I believed.

Even the independent leagues didn't think I was good enough. After being cut by the Florence Freedom, the manager recommended me to the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association of Independent Baseball. The Saltdogs traded me to the El Paso Diablos, and the next year El Paso traded me to the New Jersey Jackals of the Can-Am...

SALE: Free trial and 30% off

Try The Athletic free for a week to get access to this article and more smart, in-depth coverage. Read and support quality journalism with this limited-time offer.